1847
Religion
Mormon Pioneers Arrive in Utah
Brigham Young led the first group of Mormon settlers into the Salt Lake Valley, declaring 'This is the right place.' The Latter-day Saints would transform the desert into a thriving settlement.
On This Day in History
1911
Exploration
Machu Picchu Rediscovered
American historian Hiram Bingham III was led to the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu high in the Peruvian Andes. The spectacular ruins became one of the world's most famous archaeological sites.
1969
Science
Apollo 11 Returns to Earth
The Apollo 11 crew splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean after completing humanity's first Moon landing mission. The astronauts were quarantined for 21 days as a precaution against lunar pathogens.
1701
Exploration
Detroit Founded
French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which would grow into the city of Detroit. The settlement controlled the strategic straits between Lakes Erie and Huron.
1567
Politics
Mary Queen of Scots Abdicates
Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate in favor of her infant son James. Her dramatic life of intrigue, imprisonment, and eventual execution became one of the most compelling stories in royal history.
2005
Sports
Lance Armstrong Wins 7th Tour
Lance Armstrong won his seventh consecutive Tour de France, a record that was later stripped due to doping violations. The scandal became one of the most notorious in sports history.
1974
Politics
Supreme Court Orders Nixon Tapes Released
The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Nixon must release the Watergate tapes, rejecting his claim of executive privilege. The decision effectively sealed Nixon's fate and led to his resignation.